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ZUU Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length studio release for the Florida rapper features guest appearances from Ice Billion Berg, Tay Keith, Kiddo Marv, PlayThatBoiZay, Rick Ross, and Sam Sneak.
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Top Track

RICKY
[Pre-Chorus] First they knockin', now they hoppin' All on the wave 'cause they see me poppin' Big large pockets, they start flockin' Here's what I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Jun 21, 2019
    90
    In less than a half hour, Curry establishes himself not only as one of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree, right alongside the local icons who inspired this gem.
  2. Jun 4, 2019
    83
    There are few forces more powerful than the feeling of belonging. In creating his stunning Miami rap opus, Denzel Curry taps into that, demonstrating that he belongs among its most distinguished representatives in the process.
  3. Jun 26, 2019
    82
    ZUU is filled with entertaining records, but their relatively short runtimes often leave one yearning for more. This brevity is just minor quibble though when presented with rewind-worthy efforts such as “Ricky,” a creation named after Curry’s father.
  4. Overall, he has created a musical representation of his upbringing in the Sunshine state, evoking its intricate culture. His mixture of smoother, dreamier beats in opposition with harder-hitting and chest-bouncing ones create an aural journey and explanation as to why he is “real-ass n***a from the 305”.
  5. Jun 4, 2019
    80
    ZUU is an experience that transports the listener to a specific time and place. ZUU is further proof that Denzel Curry is one of hip-hop's most interesting and progressive MCs.
  6. Jun 4, 2019
    75
    ZUU is Curry’s ASTROWORLD, unmistakably transporting us to a specific time and place and never apologizing for it. The 2019 summer snapshot may prove as ephemeral as the season it represents, but for Curry, it represents an important step in embracing the heart and changing the hatred of a city it’s clear he will never truly leave.
  7. Jun 4, 2019
    70
    Even though I said Curry raps more than his peers, I didn’t say he NEVER sings. He flips back and forth between both on tracks like the Rugah Rajh produced “Speedboat,” but the nice thing is that he’s not so heavily medicated and AutoTuned that you can’t follow along with his delivery.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Dec 20, 2022
    10
    super good ILY Denzel and Kendrick is like really good but you're better xoxoxoxo
  2. Aug 21, 2019
    9
    The first 6 songs are excellent and the last 6 are great. Curry really sets himself apart from his peers by having rap songs with catchy hooksThe first 6 songs are excellent and the last 6 are great. Curry really sets himself apart from his peers by having rap songs with catchy hooks and good lyrical content.
    Standout tracks: SPEEDBOAT, RICKY
    Expand
  3. Apr 19, 2021
    9
    one of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree. It isn't on the same levelone of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree. It isn't on the same level as Ta13oo, but still a good album. I enjoy more songs on the album than expected before the album dropped. Expand
  4. Jun 17, 2019
    8
    I have no problem with the shorter fun album from Denzel. He put a lot of time and effort into Taboo and not every album needs to be aI have no problem with the shorter fun album from Denzel. He put a lot of time and effort into Taboo and not every album needs to be a masterpiece. Besides, the bangers is what initially got me onto him when I first heard "Zone 3" from Nostalgic 64. The easy comparison for this is Vince Staple's FM! from last year, but this is better than that simply because the production is better and Denzel fleshed out his songs more. The only exception to that is obviously the "Bushy B Interlude" that sounds like it had the potential to be an incredible, but then its just cut short. However, the biggest problem with this album is how inconsistent it is. Some of the songs, while there's not necessarily anything bad about them, just don't do much for me like "Automatic" and "Carolmart". Some of the features also stand out like a sore thumb. "Wish" is a great song with a catchy hook and a killer first verse from Denzel and then Kiddo Marv comes in and really drops the ball. The only two songs that are just straight up bad songs are Shake 88 and P.A.T., both with terrible features and premises that just don't do anything for me. The highlights on this album are essentially the entire first half. It's just banger after banger with incredible production and great energy and songwriting by Denzel. Its heavy on the bass and filled to the brim with sounds, never leaving any space empty. The only exception to that is Speedboat which is more stripped back consisting of mostly darker sounding piano, but Denzel still brings as much energy as any of the songs and creates a really catchy hook. I do want to point out how good he has gotten at choruses, even better than Taboo. The first 6 songs on this are all really catchy and fun songs. His singing even doesn't sound half-bad on "ZUU" and "Wish" which is something that I know bothered people before. This album is just really disjointed with the first half being damn near perfect and the second half being completely disposable. I ended up giving it 4 stars because the good outweighs the bad in my eyes but man, if he had kept working on this more and kept up the quality on the first half he could have surpassed even his last album. Expand
  5. Jan 18, 2020
    8
    A short, yet hard hitting, and exceptionally produced/written record. Not as impressive as Curry's prior record "TA1300," due to limitedA short, yet hard hitting, and exceptionally produced/written record. Not as impressive as Curry's prior record "TA1300," due to limited material to unpack, but Curry's impressive lyricism and direction remains top notch. This record provides a short and intricate look into Curry's early life growing up. Melodic hooks, varied flows, and topical verses are highlights on this record. One of the best releases of 2019. Expand
  6. Apr 6, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  7. Aug 26, 2019
    6
    It’a alright. Very different compared to his other projects and not always in the right ways. Taboo was a borderline masterpiece Zuu was theIt’a alright. Very different compared to his other projects and not always in the right ways. Taboo was a borderline masterpiece Zuu was the inevitable disappointing follow up. Expand

See all 25 User Reviews

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